The countdown to one of Asia’s largest and most vibrant festivals, the Durga Puja, has begun well and properly. This year, Kolkata – the City of Joy, is all set to celebrate with added zest and fervor as Bengal’s Durga Puja has been declared “an Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO.

With the approach of Durga Puja, people living in different parts of the state are gearing up enthusiastically for exciting pandal visits through the days as well as nights of the Puja. Puja holidays mean indulging in lots of celebrations with family and friends over cozy get-togethers, delicious food, and plenty of fun, laughter, and gossip.

Each one of us is happy to make a few changes in our daily routine to look charming and winsome during the festival days.  In fact, a checklist of what needs to be done to look our best is probably ready for most of us.

Sadly, however, many of us are ignorant when it comes to our eye health. The human eyes, which must be stressed, are one of the most sensitive parts of the body. This important and crucial pair requires necessary vital protection on a regular basis, and more so when the exposure rate of a person increases during non-stop festivities.

The majority population unfortunately remains clueless about basic eye health and hygiene. As a result, issues like eye allergies, conjunctivitis, redness, and puffiness are quite common among people.

Ensuring proper protection and maintaining accurate eye hygiene can assist us from risking our precious pair to health concerns that arise from negligence, and which are quite capable of making vision partially dark or worse.

But let’s come back specifically to Durga Puja. When subjected to the raging heat of the sun or exposed to pollution for a considerable time, which is quite unavoidable during Puja outings, it is mandatory to safeguard one’s eyes.

So, here are some easy but important eye healthcare guidelines that will help ensure good health and wellness for your eyes and combat common infections.

1. Use of Ultraviolet goggles– We need to be careful while choosing our tinted eyewear. To enjoy a glimpse of the many idols of Maa Durga in different pandals, often we end up waiting in queues for long hours in the heat of the day when the sun is at its unforgiving best! During such times, always use ultraviolet protective goggles.  This will prevent eye allergies and long-term eye diseases.
2. Avoid touching your Eyes with unclean hands– Do not rub or touch your eyes with unwashed hands, especially when outdoors, after shaking hands with others, and if you are perspiring heavily. You may just end up becoming a carrier of infections or allergies for your own eyes.
3. Be careful with the Tear Film– Avoid splashing water heavily inside your eyes. This may damage the tear film which is a fine protective layer of the eye. Wash your eyes only if foreign particles like dust enter and cause irritation to it. Remember to clean your hands and face once you reach home. Make it a personal responsibility to yourself. This prevents dust and grime that cause eye allergies from entering the eyes.
4. Be cautious with your contact lenses– Extra care is a must for those who are regular users of contact lenses. Going to sleep with your lenses on is dangerous for eye safety. Ensure that you do not wear your lenses at a stretch for more than 16 hours as it may impact the cornea.
5. Exercise care while applying Eye makeup– This is a must-read for all ages of women. Beautiful eyes do all the talking as they say, and who doesn’t want a glamorous pair during the Pujas?

Firstly, avoid sharing handkerchiefs, towels, and toiletries with others, including close relatives and friends. Secondly, it is also not advisable to share or use common eye cosmetics and makeup. Eye makeup should preferably be light during the daytime as we live in a hot tropical land. If you are using eye shadow, take care that it does not get into your eyes. The application of waterproof mascara is always preferable as ordinary mascara may melt and trickle into the eyes and harm them. Please be careful with your eyeliner as well. It should not get in contact with the eyes directly.

Lastly, do be cautious while removing eye makeup, however, tired you may be. The eyes and the skin around them should be treated like the most delicate and expensive silk. If eye makeup gets into your eyes, please rinse out immediately with cold water but without rubbing the inflammation. And once again, it is worthwhile to mention – always, always, always remove your makeup before going to bed.

This is a roundup of the simple dos and don’ts of taking care of your precious pair of eyes all through the festivities. Remembering to follow these basic principles will ensure good eye health and hygiene. Prioritize the safety of your eyes. This will go a long way in ensuring a happy and safe Durga Puja for you and your loved ones.

About the author- Dr. Ipsita Basu, DO, DNB, DipNB, Consultant – Pediatric Ophthalmology, Disha Eye Hospitals & Dr. Joyeeta Das, Consultant Orbit and Oculoplasty Surgeon, Disha Eye Hospitals